Cincy on the Prowl
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Cincinnati Football: Bearcats fall out of top-25 polls following loss

ByCharles Post|
Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tre Tucker is tackled by Arkansas Razorback long snapper Eli Stein. USA Today.
Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tre Tucker is tackled by Arkansas Razorback long snapper Eli Stein. USA Today.

Even though it was a relatively competitive loss at Arkansas, the Bearcats dropped out of both major weekly polls. Cincinnati spent a school-record 45 consecutive weeks in the AP Top 25 before falling out alongside the USA Today Coaches Poll.

Luke Fickell’s team remained on the verge of being ranked though after receiving votes in both polls. It seems like three straight wins to wrap up non-conference play would probably be enough to be included in the rankings again.

Following a triple overtime win last week, Houston is the Group of Five’s only representative in the AP Poll but dropped one spot to #25. The Cougars didn’t get the same amount of grace from the Coaches Poll, who dropped the Cougars out completely.

BYU was ranked #21 in the AP poll and edged out Houston as the highest ranked of the programs set to join the Big 12 next summer alongside Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. All four teams received votes and will likely be near the rankings throughout the year.

Cincinnati Football: Bearcats fall out of top-25 polls following loss

In the AP Top 25, Alabama stayed atop the rankings and Georgia jumped Ohio State for #2 after a 49-3 beatdown over Oregon. Michigan and Clemson rounded out the top-five teams, followed by Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Baylor and USC.

The Coaches Poll also had preseason favorite Alabama at the top with Georgia and Ohio State flip flopping. #4 Clemson was one spot above Michigan instead and Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Baylor, Notre Dame and Oklahoma State completed the top-10.

Arkansas moved to #16 after beating the Bearcats, while Florida was the biggest riser of the week following an upset over #7 Utah in Gainesville on Saturday night. The Gators went from unranked to #12 in the AP Top 25.

According to WynnBET, Cincinnati opened as 28-point favorites over Kennesaw State in the home opener this week. The Owls finished 11-2 last season and were ranked #6 in the preseason FCS Poll but dropped to #18 after losing to Samford.